Jewelry Article

ABSTRACT

A jewelry article includes a body, a ring, and clasps. The body has first and second ends. The ring is disposed on the first end of the body, and the clasps are disposed on the body between the first end and the second end.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) toU.S. Provisional Application 61/890,549, filed on Oct. 14, 2013, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a jewelry article configured for hanging onan article of clothing or a handbag.

BACKGROUND

Jewelry articles are small decorative items used for adorning the body.Jewelry items come in many different forms, such as pendants, necklaces,earrings or bracelets. They are often made of metal and gemstones andmay be worn on the body, attached to an article of clothing, or attachedto personal items.

Pendants are one of the earliest types of jewelry articles. Primeval manused to insert a string made of grass or vine into a small hole within arock, a shell, or any other indigenous material to wear as a necklace.Modern pendants consist of jewelry articles hanging from a necklace,bracelet, or clothing. Pendants serve several functions, such as todisplay awards, identification, ornamentation or self-affirmation.Pendants come in different shapes, colors, and sizes.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a jewelry article that includes abody, clasps, and a ring. The body has first and second ends, and thering is disposed on the first end of the body. The clasps are disposedon the body between the first and second ends.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing features. In some implementations, the body of the jewelryarticle defines a track that extends from the first end to the secondend of the body. The track slidably receives the clasps and allows theclasps to slide along the track between the first and second ends of thebody.

In some implementations, the jewelry article further includes a retainerthat is disposed on the track and is configured to prevent the claspsfrom sliding off the track. Additionally or alternatively, each clasp ofthe jewelry article may include a clasp body and a fastener. The claspbody has a first and second end. The first end defines a complementaryshape of a cross-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track.The fastener is disposed on the second end of the clasp body.

In some implementations, the first end of the clasp body swivels withrespect to the second end of the clasp body. The ring may be configuredto receive a pendant having a core diameter of less than 4.5millimeters.

The jewelry article may include a ring connector disposed on the firstend of the body. The ring connector allows for a releasable connectionof the ring to the body and has an unlocked and a locked state. When thering connector is in the unlocked state, it receives the ring forconnection to the body. When the ring connector is in the locked state,it retains the ring while allowing movement of the ring with respect tothe body (e.g., a swivel movement, a back-and-forth movement, or acombination of both). Additionally or alternatively, the ring connectormay receive one or more pendants while unconnected to the body. In someimplementations, the ring is a non-circular ring. Additionally oralternatively, the ring may be a rigid ring or a malleable ring.

In some examples, the body of the jewelry article includes at least oneof an elongated body, a rectangular body, an elliptical body, or asquare body. The jewelry article may further include a body connectordisposed on the second end of the body. The body connector releasablyattaches to an object. In some examples, the clasp is fixed on the body.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of using a jewelryarticle. The method includes releasing a ring disposed on a first end ofa body of the jewelry article and receiving one or more pendants alongthe ring. The method also includes connecting the ring to the first endof the body of the jewelry article. The connected ring preventsescapement of one or more pendants from the ring. The method alsoincludes actuating a clasp from a closed state to an open state. Theclasp is disposed on the body between the first and second ends of thebody. The method further includes placing a pendant on the clasp whilethe clasp is in its open state, allowing the clasp to return to itsclosed state, and attaching a body connector disposed on the body of thejewelry article to an object.

In some implementations, the method includes sliding the clasp along atrack defined by the body. The track extends from the first end to thesecond end of the body. The track is configured to slidably receiveclasps, allowing the clasps to slide along the track between the firstand second ends of the body.

In some examples, the method further includes actuating a retainerdisposed on the track to move from a locked state to an unlocked state.The retainer prevents clasps from sliding off the track while in itslocked state and allows the addition of clasps to the track while in itsunlocked state. The method further includes placing the clasp on thetrack. The first end of the body defines a complementary shape of across-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track.

The method may include moving a ring connector disposed on the first endof the jewelry article body from a locked state, which retains the ringconnected to the body to an unlocked state, and allowing disconnectionof the ring from the body. The method further includes releasing thering from the ring connector, adding one or more pendants on thedisconnected ring, reconnecting the ring to the ring connector, andmoving the ring connector from its unlocked state to its locked state toreconnect the ring to the body.

In some examples, the method includes the ring connector retaining thering while allowing movement of the ring with respect to the body whilein its locked state. Additionally or alternatively, the method mayfurther include moving the released ring from a closed loopconfiguration to an open loop configuration, before adding one or morependants on the disconnected ring.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a jewelry articleincluding a body, a ring and first and second groups of clasps. The bodyhas first and second ends. The body is defined by a height extendingfrom the first end to the second end of the body, a length extendingfrom a first side to a second side of the body, and a width extendingfrom a third side to a fourth side. The height is at least double thelength and at least triple the width. The length is greater than thewidth. The ring is disposed on the first end of the body. It has a corediameter of between 2 mm and about 10 mm, and a ring diameter of betweenabout 2 cm and about 10 cm. The first group of clasps is disposed on thefirst side of the body, and the second group of clasps is disposed onthe second side of the body. The first side and second side arepositioned opposite each other. The first group and the second group ofclasps are disposed on the body between the first and the second ends.

In some examples, the body defines a track extending from the first endto the second end of the body. The track is configured to slidablyreceive the clasps, allowing the clasps to slide along the track betweenthe first and second ends of the body. Additionally or alternatively,the jewelry article may include a retainer disposed on the track,configured to prevent the clasps from sliding off the track.

The jewelry article may have clasps that include a clasp body having afirst end and a second end. The first end defines a complementary shapeof a cross-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track. Afastener is disposed on the second end of the clasp body.

In some implementations, the jewelry article includes a ring connectordisposed on the first end of the body, allowing releasable connection ofthe ring to the body. The ring connector has an unlocked state and alocked state. When it is in the unlocked state, the ring connectorreceives a ring for connection to the body. When it is in the lockedstate, the ring connector retains the ring while allowing movement ofthe ring with respect to the body.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having anelongated body with pendants attached thereon.

FIG. 1B is a sectional view of the ring of FIG. 1 at 1B-1B.

FIG. 1C is a side view of an exemplary jewelry article with claspsdisposed vertically along a vertical axis.

FIG. 1D is a side view of an exemplary jewelry article body with claspsdisposed horizontally along a vertical axis.

FIG. 1E is a side view of an exemplary jewelry article having two groupsof clasps.

FIG. 1F is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having anelongated body with pendants attached thereon in an unlocked state.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having anelongated body.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having anelongated body with pendants attached thereon.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having a squareshaped body with pendants attached thereon.

FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary jewelry article having anelongated body with pendants and keys attached thereon

FIG. 6A is a side view of an exemplary jewelry article showing a trackfor receiving slidable clasps.

FIG. 6B is a top view of the jewelry article shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a side view of an exemplary clasp used in FIG. 6A.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are front views of a purse having an exemplary jewelryarticle attached thereon.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an exemplary arrangement of operations forusing a jewelry article.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Jewelry items, such as brooches and buckles, were initially used aspurely functional items. These items have evolved to include adecorative aspect while still holding garments together in the case of abrooch, or fastening two loose ends in the case of a buckle. Jewelryarticles may also be symbolic of a wearer's group membership, (e.g.,Christian crucifix, Jewish Star of David), interests and hobbies (e.g.,a purse pendant or a shopping cart pendant symbolizing the wearer'sinterest in shopping, or a tennis racket that indicates the wearer'sinterest in tennis), or charities among other things. Therefore, in someexamples, a jewelry article gives a person a glimpse of a wearer's life.A wearer may have several pendants that he/she may want to display atthe same time. Placing all those pendants on a wearer's necklace may bedistracting or noisy when a wearer moves because the pendants may moveas well. Therefore, a jewelry article 100 that allows a wearer todisplay all his/her pendants and place the jewelry article 100 on a bagor a handbag 200 fulfills a need for the wearer to portray a particularpersona. Moreover, the jewelry article 100 allows a wearer to customizethe jewelry article 100 with different pendants, or use the same jewelryarticle 100 on different handbags giving each handbag a uniquepersonalized look with the personalized jewelry items.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, in some implementations, a jewelry article 100includes a body 110, a ring 120, and clasps 130. The body 110 may be oneof an elongated body (FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7B), a rectangular body (FIGS. 1,2, and 5-7B), an elliptical body (FIG. 3), a square body (FIG. 4), or acircular body (not shown). Other shapes are possible as well. The body110 may be made from different materials including, but not limited to,metal (e.g., stainless steel, brass, copper, nickel, or precious metals(e.g., gold, silver, platinum)), glass (e.g., fused-glass or enamel),wood, or plastic. In some examples, the body 110 includes engravings 112by carving a design on the body 110. The engravings 112 may be a design,a drawing, a word, or a phrase. Different engraving techniques may beused to accommodate the different materials being used for the body 110.The body 110 includes a first end 114 and a second end 116.

In some implementations, the ring 120 is disposed on the first end 114of the body 110. The ring 120 may be any of the materials listed abovewith respect to the body 110. The ring 120 may be a malleable ring or abendable ring (e.g., a chain, a link ring made from connecting orlinking various similar components). In other examples, the ring 120 isa rigid or hard ring. The ring 120 is configured to receive a pendant orcharm 122. The pendant 122 may be a dangling pendant 122 a or aseparation pendant 122 b for separating two other pendants 122 (e.g.,dangling pendant 122 a). In some examples, the pendant 122 is a danglingseparation pendant 122 c, being a separation pendant 122 a with adangling pendant 122 b attached thereon. The ring 120 may be a circularring or a non-circular ring. In the examples shown, the ring 120 has acore diameter D configured to receive the pendants 122. The corediameter D may be less than 4.5 millimeters to accommodate differentpendants 122. In some examples, the core diameter is between 2 mm andabout 10 mm and a ring diameter R_(D) is between about 2 cm and about 10cm. The core diameter D and/or the ring diameter R_(D) may havedifferent sizes. Moreover, the ring 120 may fit more than one pendant122. In some examples, the ring 120 is sized to receive keys 126, asshown in FIG. 5. A wearer may detach the ring 120 from the body 110 andinsert the pendants 122 individually. The wearer may create a designwith the pendants 122. In some examples, the wearer adds pendants 122 tocreate a word or phrase (e.g., each pendant 122 may be a letter pendant122).

A ring connector 124 may be disposed on the first end 114 of the body110 to allow releasable connection of the ring 120 to the body 110. Thering connector 124 has an unlocked state and a locked state. In theunlocked state (FIG. 1F), the ring connector 124 receives the ring 120for connecting to the body 110; while in the locked state (FIG. 1A-1E),the ring connector 124 retains the ring 120 while allowing movement ofthe ring 120 with respect to the body 110. In some examples, themovement may be a swivel movement within 360 degrees. Moreover, in theunlocked state, the ring 120 can receive at least one pendant 122.

One or more clasps 130 may be disposed on the body 110 between the firstend 114 and the second end 116. The clasps 130 are configured to receivea dangling pendant 122 a or a separation pendant 122 b. In someexamples, the clasps 130 are fixed on the body 110 and do not move fromtheir position. Clasps 130 that may be used include, but are not limitedto, a spring ring, a lobster claw, a bayonet, a barrel, a magneticclasp, a pearl clasp, or a catch clasp.

Referring to FIGS. 1C-1D, the body 110 defines a transverse axis X and alongitudinal axis Y. In some examples, each clasp 130 is positionedalong the longitudinal axis Y, and all the clasps are positioned alongthe longitudinal axis Y, as shown in FIG. 1C. Each clasp 130 may bearranged horizontally in a direction parallel to the transverse axis Xin a straight line along the longitudinal axis Y, as shown in FIG. 1D.In other examples, the clasps 130 may be divided into groups 132. Afirst group 132 a separated from the second group 132 b by a distance asshown in FIG. 1D. In some examples, the clasps 130 are arranged at anangle with respect to the transverse axis X or the longitudinal axis Y.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in some examples, the body 110 defines atrack 140 that extends from the first end 114 to the second end 116 ofthe body 110. The track 140 is configured to slidably receive the clasps130. The clasps 130 may slide freely along the track 140 between thefirst end 114 and the second end 116 of the body 110. The track 140includes an opening 142 that extends from the first end 114 to thesecond end 116 of the body 110. The opening 142 allows the view of theclasps 130 contained within the track 140. A retainer 144 may bedisposed on the track 140 to prevent the clasps 130 from sliding off thetrack 140. In some examples, the first retainer 144 a is disposed on afirst end of the track 140 a and a second retainer 144 b is disposed ona second end of the track 140. A wearer may releasably detach theretainer 144 to add or remove clasps 130.

Referring to FIG. 6C, the clasp 130 may include a clasp body 133 havinga first end 134 that defines a complementary shape of a cross-sectionalshape of the track 140. A fastener 138 may be disposed on the second end136 of the clasp body 133. The fastener 138 is configured to receive apendant 122. The fastener 138 may swivel about the first and second ends134, 136 of the clasp body 133 allowing for the swiveling of theattached pendant 122. The first end 134 of the clasp body 133 may swivelwith respect to the second end 136 of the clasp body 133.

Referring back to FIGS. 6A-6C, in some implementations, the body 110 hasa first end 114 and a second end 116, a first side S1, a second side S2,a third side S3, and a fourth side S4. The body 110 defines a height Hthat extends from the first end 114 to the second end 116. The body alsodefines a length L that extends from the first side S1 to the secondside S2 of the body 110, and a width W that extends from the third sideS3 to the fourth side S4 of the body 110. A first group of clasps 132 ais disposed on the first side S1 of the body, and the second group ofclasps 132 b is disposed on the second side S2 of the body 110 (see FIG.1 for a front view). In some examples, the height H is at least doublethe length L and at least triple the width W, and the length L isgreater than the width W. In other examples, the length L issubstantially equal to the width W, and the height H is at least doublethe sum of the length L and the height H. In yet another example, theheight H is substantially equal to the length L which is alsosubstantially equal to the width W, therefore, forming a body 110 havinga cube shape. The clasps 132 may be positioned on any one or all of thefirst, second, third, and fourth sides S1-S4. In some implementations,the body 110 includes more than four sides; therefore, the body 110provides more space to place the clasps 132 and the pendants 122attached thereon.

In some examples, the jewelry article 100 may be attached to an object200 (as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B). The object 200 may include, but isnot limited to handbags, backpacks, shoulder bags, purses, and clutches,which have long been used to carry personal goods (e.g., makeup, snacks,handkerchief, eyeglasses, money, keys, tablets, portable computers).Along with serving a functional purpose, these bags may serve as fashionaccessories. Fashion accessories serve to contribute to a wearer'soutfit. Many people choose to adorn their personal bags or clothing withpendants to further compliment their clothing.

A body connector 150 may be disposed on the second end 116 of the body110. The body connector 150 may releasably attach to an object 200. Thebody connector 150 may be malleable or a bendable connector (e.g., achain, a link ring made from connecting or linking various similarcomponents), or may be a rigid, hard connector.

FIG. 8 provides a method 800 for using a jewelry article 100. The method800 includes releasing 802 a ring 120 disposed on a first end 114 of abody 110 of the jewelry article 100 and receiving 804 one or morependants 122 along the ring 120. The method 800 also includes connecting806 the ring 120 to the first end 114 of the body 110 of the jewelryarticle 100. The connected ring 120 prevents escapement of one or morependants 122 from the ring 120. The method 800 further includesactuating 808 a clasp 130 from a closed state to an open state. Theclasp 130 is disposed on the body 110 between the first and second ends114, 116 of the body. The method 800 further includes placing 810 apendant 122 on the clasp 130 while the clasp 130 is in its open state,allowing 812 the clasp 130 to return to its closed state. The methodalso includes attaching 814 a body connector 150 disposed on the body110 of the jewelry article 100 to an object 200. Clasps 130 that may beused include, but are not limited to, a spring ring, a lobster claw, abayonet, a barrel, a magnetic clasp, a pearl clasp, or a catch clasp.

In some implementations, the method 800 includes sliding the clasp 130along a track 140 defined by the body 110. The track 140 extends fromthe first end 114 to the second end 116 of the body 110. The track 140is configured to slidably receive clasps 130, allowing the clasps 130 toslide along the track 140 between the first and second ends 114, 116 ofthe body 110. The clasps 130 are configured to receive pendants 122.

In some examples, the method 800 further includes actuating a retainer144 disposed on the track 140 to move from a locked state to an unlockedstate. The retainer 144 is configured to prevent clasps 130 from slidingoff the track 140 while in its locked state and allowing the addition ofclasps 130 to the track 140 while in its unlocked state. The method 800further includes placing the clasp 130 on the track 140. The first end114 of the body 110 defines a complementary shape of a cross-sectionalshape of the track 140 for receipt by the track 140.

The method 800 may include moving a ring connector 124 disposed on thefirst end 114 of the jewelry article body 110 from a locked state, whichretains the ring 120 connected to the body 110 to an unlocked state(FIG. 1F), which disconnects the ring 120 from the body 110. The method800 further includes releasing the ring 120 from the ring connector 124,adding one or more pendants 122 on the disconnected ring 120,reconnecting the ring 120 to the ring connector 124, and moving the ringconnector 124 from its unlocked state to its locked state to reconnectthe ring 120 to the body 110.

In some examples, the method 800 includes the ring connector 124retaining the ring 120 while allowing movement of the ring 120 withrespect to the body 110 while in its locked state. The method 800 mayfurther include moving the released ring 120 from a closed loopconfiguration to an open loop configuration (FIG. 1F), before adding oneor more pendants 122 on the disconnected ring 120.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A jewelry article comprising: a body having firstand second ends; a ring disposed on the first end of the body; andclasps disposed on the body between the first and the second ends. 2.The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the body defines a trackextending from the first end to the second end of the body, the trackconfigured to slidably receive the clasps, allowing the clasps to slidealong the track between the first and second ends of the body.
 3. Thejewelry article of claim 2, further comprising a retainer disposed onthe track and configured to prevent the clasps from sliding off thetrack.
 4. The jewelry article of claim 2, wherein each clasp comprises:a clasp body having a first end and a second end, the first end defininga complementary shape of a cross-sectional shape of the track forreceipt by the track; and a fastener disposed on the second end of theclasp body.
 5. The jewelry article of claim 4, wherein the first end ofthe clasp body swivels with respect to the second end of the clasp body.6. The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the ring is configured toreceive a pendant having a core diameter of less than 4.5 millimeters.7. The jewelry article of claim 1, further comprising a ring connectordisposed on the first end of the body and allowing releasable connectionof the ring to the body, the ring connector having an unlocked state anda locked state, wherein in the unlocked state, the ring connectorreceives the ring for connection to the body, and wherein in the lockedstate, the ring connector retains the ring while allowing movement ofthe ring with respect to the body.
 8. The jewelry article of claim 7,wherein the ring can receive one or more pendants while unconnected tothe body.
 9. The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the ring is anon-circular ring.
 10. The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the bodycomprises at least one of an elongated body, a rectangular body, anelliptical body, or a square body.
 11. The jewelry article of claim 1,further comprising a body connector disposed on the second end of thebody, the body connector configured for releasable attachment to anobject.
 12. The jewelry article of claim 1, wherein the clasp is fixedon the body.
 13. A method of using a jewelry article, the methodcomprising: releasing a ring disposed on a first end of a body of thejewelry article; receiving one or more pendants along the ring;connecting the ring to the first end of the body of the jewelry article,the connected ring preventing escapement of the one or more pendantsfrom the ring; actuating a clasp from a closed state to an open state,the clasp disposed on the body between first and second ends of thebody; placing a pendant on the clasp while the clasp is in its openstate; allowing the clasp to return to its closed state; and attaching abody connector disposed on the body of the jewelry article to an object.14. The method of claim 13, further comprising sliding the clasp along atrack defined by the body, the track extending from the first end to thesecond end of the body, the track configured to slidably receive clasps,allowing the clasps to slide along the track between the first andsecond ends of the body.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:actuating a retainer disposed on the track to move from a locked stateto an unlocked state, the retainer configured to prevent clasps fromsliding off the track while in its locked state and allowing addition ofclasps to the track while in its unlocked state; and placing the claspon the track, the first end of the body defining a complementary shapeof a cross-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track. 16.The method of claim 13, further comprising: moving a ring connectordisposed on the first end of the jewelry article body from a lockedstate, which retains the ring connected to the body, to an unlockedstate, which allows disconnection of the ring from the body; releasingthe ring from the ring connector; adding one or more pendants on thedisconnected ring; reconnecting the ring to ring connector; and movingthe ring connector from its unlocked state to its locked state toreconnect the ring to the body.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thering connector retains the ring while allowing movement of the ring withrespect to the body while in its locked state.
 18. The method of claim16, further comprising moving the released ring from a closed loopconfiguration to an open loop configuration before adding one or morependants on the disconnected ring.
 19. The method of claim 13, whereinthe ring is a non-circular ring.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein theclasp is fixed on the body.
 21. A jewelry article comprising: a bodyhaving first and second ends, the body defining: a height extending fromthe first end to the second end of the body; a length extending from afirst side to a second side of the body; and a width extending from athird side to a fourth side; wherein the height is at least double thelength and at least triple the width, and the length is greater than thewidth; a ring disposed on the first end of the body, the ring having acore diameter of between about 2 mm and about 10 mm and a ring diameterof between about 2 cm and about 10 cm; and first and second groups ofclasps, the first group of clasps disposed on the first side of the bodyand the second group of clasps disposed on the second side of the body,the first side and the second side are positioned opposite each other,the first group and the second group of clasps are disposed on the bodybetween the first and the second ends.
 22. The jewelry article of claim21, wherein the body defines a track extending from the first end to thesecond end of the body, the track configured to slidably receive theclasps, allowing the clasps to slide along the track between the firstand second ends of the body.
 23. The jewelry article of claim 22,further comprising a retainer disposed on the track and configured toprevent the clasps from sliding off the track.
 24. The jewelry articleof claim 22, wherein each clasp comprises: a clasp body having a firstend and a second end, the first end defining a complementary shape of across-sectional shape of the track for receipt by the track; and afastener disposed on the second end of the clasp body.
 25. The jewelryarticle of claim 21, further comprising a ring connector disposed on thefirst end of the body and allowing releasable connection of the ring tothe body, the ring connector having an unlocked state and a lockedstate, wherein in the unlocked state, the ring connector receives thering for connection to the body, and wherein in the locked state, thering connector retains the ring while allowing movement of the ring withrespect to the body.